Princess Willowyn's Arc

Chapter 66 of 70

The next morning Willowyn woke to gray light through the stained glass. Three days had passed since the storm drove her down to Graystone Castle. Three days, and no word from anyone. She did not know if Kai had ridden after her, or if they had simply let her go. The minx pressed warm against her feet. Outside, rain still tapped the tall window. A knock at her door pulled her upright. Prince Atticus opened the door slowly. He wore his dark blue cloak, no sword at his side today. "I thought you might want a walk through the castle," he said. "The halls are dull when it storms." His pale green eyes were kind, and Willowyn could not pretend he was not handsome. She held out her hand. He took it gently and led her into the corridor. They walked past pillars and colored windows. Atticus named the spires and towers as they passed. Willowyn listened, but her mind stayed on the sea beyond the cliffs. Rose-Watch was a day away by ship, less by dragon. She only needed the sky to clear. Then a servant hurried toward them, breath quick. "My prince. The clouds are breaking to the west." Willowyn dropped Atticus's hand and moved to the nearest window. She pressed her palm to the cold glass. The rain had thinned to mist. Far out, a pale seam of light cut the gray sky. She reached out with her magic, feeling the wet air, the falling water, the wind loosening its grip. The storm was ending. "You mean to leave," Atticus said behind her. "I do." She turned. "My dragon has been grounded three days. If the sky holds, he can carry me across by dusk." Atticus studied her, then nodded. "Then I will walk you to your dragon, not through my halls." He led her down through the castle and out into the wet garden. Her dragon lay curled against the wall where the storm had pinned him. He lifted his head when he saw her and stretched his wings. Moonlight was not needed now. He only needed open sky. Willowyn climbed onto his back with the minx tucked in her arm. The wind still gusted, but the rain had stopped. Atticus stood in the mud, looking up. "When your business with Allorie is done," he called, "Graystone will welcome you again. Storm or no storm." She smiled down at him. "I will remember that, Prince Atticus." The dragon rose. The castle shrank below, its spires small against the clearing sky. Willowyn turned him west, toward the sea and Rose-Watch. She was no longer stranded. But as the coast fell behind, she thought of the King and Queen of Allorie waiting there, and of the betrothal she still had to break. One crossing was ending. A harder one lay ahead.